British Columbia wildland firefighters said new federal financing for water bombers is welcome, but called for additional investment in frontline work and mitigation.
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Frontline wildfire responders in British Columbia welcomed federal funding aimed at expanding Canadair water bomber production, while warning that aerial firefighting is only one part of wildfire response and urging more support for crews on the ground.
The federal budget pledged up to $2.5 billion in financing to help De Havilland Canada ramp up production of Canadair water bombers, including establishing a second assembly line in Alberta that would double output to 20 aircraft per year.
Riley Moskaluk, who has been battling wildfires in B.C. since 2016, said aerial attack is most effective before a fire grows large, because aircraft can deliver significant water quickly to smaller fires.
Moskaluk also said aircraft can be sidelined by conditions such as high winds or poor visibility, problems that occurred multiple times during B.C.'s 2026 fire season.
He argued that if the federal government is getting involved, it should help fund front-line wildfire work, citing the physical demands of the job and potentially toxic exposures, along with weaker retirement and health benefits than most municipal and structural firefighters that contribute to high turnover.
Sebastian Kollos, a wildland firefighter and vice-president of the B.C. General Employees Union, said insufficient experience can lead to mistakes that may have serious consequences for public safety, including the risk of people losing their homes.
Chad Thomas, a 25-year veteran wildland firefighter and director of Aboriginal Land Protection Services, said Ottawa could further support wildfire mitigation by funding prescribed and cultural burns and other mitigation efforts in remote and First Nations communities.
Thomas also called for a national accreditation program for contract firefighters, including those working for First Nations organizations, arguing that the lack of national standards leaves local resources and Canadian contractors overlooked in favour of international support teams.
In 2026, wildfires destroyed or damaged more than 500 structures in B.C., and the province reported 1,474 wildfires that scorched more than 4,700 square kilometres.
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